On Saturday in a road game against Army, it was a storm-filled, rain-soaked affair. Powered by a crushing offensive line and bruising ground game, the Eagles prevailed in the final seconds for a 27-24 victory.
Two of Boston College's three wins so far this season have been in bad weather situations. The first was against Holy Cross, in which lightning delayed the game.
Of course, weather aside, these are two games Boston College were fully capable of winning. Both were closer than desired, especially against Army after such a dominant first half. The Eagles allowed the Army Black Knights (2-3) to come back and take the lead, bringing about frustration. But Boston College again showed their determination, led by a quarterback who brought some rainy-day magic.
Castellanos and company collaborate
The passing game took a backseat for Boston College on Saturday. For good reason, as the rushing attack pounded out 321 yards with an array of style and substance.
Inclement weather factored into the added emphasis, yes. But quarterback Thomas Castellanos kept his legs churning all game and the running back crew alongside him only got better with each quarter. This helped make the decision to focus on a run-heavy attack all the easier of head coach Jeff Hafley and the Eagles.
Castellanos managed to attempt only nine passes against the Black Knights, completing four for 73 yards. An interception was mixed in and the best connection on the day was a 57-yard completion to Jaden Williams.
Mostly abandoning the passing in favor of running proved to be smart. To the tune of 31 carries, Castellanos racked up 142 yards and four touchdowns, capped with the game-winner with only 25 seconds remaining.
Castellanos grinded things out for short gains and busted out with fluid long runs. This plan of attack was repeated at will, with running backs contributing in big doses.
Patrick Garwo III had his finest game of the season, notching 14 carries for 111 yards, highlighted by a 50-yard gallop. Alex Broome, despite some missteps, also found daylight throughout the game. Plus, Kye Robichaux had hard-earned fourth quarter yards and even the receivers got in on the action, with Nate Johnson busting out an 18-yard scamper.
Ball control was important, as the defense followed a solid first half with an effort that had trouble containing Army after halftime.
Boston College Eagles defense improving
The Black Knights scored 21 of their 24 points after the break. A total that might have been more, and effected the outcome of this game, if not for an overturned touchdown on an illegal forward pass call.
Before the final 30 minutes, Boston College's defense impressed. The Eagles were containing Army's bread and butter rushing attack and it actually looked like the team might win in easy fashion.
Army got things rolling in the second half, finishing with 161 yards on the ground. Though they allowed 4.9 yards per carry, the Eagles did hold Army to nearly 45 yards under their season average.
Trouble slowing the Army passing game, for what it was, also nearly did the Eagles in. Boston College allowed Army quarterback Bryson Daily to throw 10-13 for 105 yards and a score. Daily also led the Black Knights with 99 yards on the ground.
Boston College had no sacks and only three tackles for loss but they did enough to keep control. Please, just put more effort like in the first half and things will be dandy.
The Eagles did force three fumbles, the biggest of which they recovered on Army's final drive. It was defensive back John Pupel again in on the action. Pupel is having quite the season, and added six more tackles to his total.
Jalen Cheek also had six tackles, while linebacker Vinny DePalma was again top the leaderboard with nine.
Boston College has clawed their way back with a couple of "dig down deep" victories. They have a bye week before heading to Georgia Tech on Oct. 21, where the Eagles have a chance to go above .500 for the first time since 2021. They were 6-4 late in the season and that was also the last time the Eagles won back-to-back games.
Perhaps, after all this time, Boston College can finally say: the times, they are a changin'.
photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
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